5 films and TV programs that were made in or about Nottingham

Every once in a while, sat on your sofa or in a cinema seat you may have looked at the screen and thought ‘I know that place’ and whilst most movies are made in big cities and green screen studios, Nottingham has earned itself a place on the map as the location for some Hollywood blockbusters

Without Sin

Written by Frances Poletti an award-winning screenwriter from Nottingham and partly produced by BYO Productions, founded by Vicky McClure and Jonny Owen, Without Sin is without a doubt, Nottingham through and through.

The four-part series explores the relationship that develops between a grieving mother and the man she believes murdered her daughter. Described on IMDB as “binge-worthy…gripping from the start to finish” the series was shot across the city, in locations you will most likely recognise, from Forest Fields to Victoria Centre and Notts County Football Club.

You can watch the series now on ITVX

This is England

Winning the 2008 BAFTA Award for Outstanding British Film, This is England is not only a Nottingham treasure but a national one.

Shot in Lenton, the film explores Thatcher’s Britain and working-class life with its racism, xenophobia, and unemployment. Written (and directed) by Shane Meadows.

The film has quite rightly been praised by Sam Parker for “its willingness to explore the ways in which childhood trauma shapes and distorts adult relationships and life” and Myrthe Leenders for “how easy and dangerous it was to grow up on the wrong side of history”.

Robin Hood

The Nottinghamshire tale of Robin Hood and his merry men has been explored countless times in the film industry from as far back as 1946 and lots of famous names have played roles related to the folklore.

For a modern interpretation, with a big budget and CGI, I’d suggest the 2018 version produced by non-other than Leonardo DiCaprio, with its lead roles played by the stars, Tarot Egerton, Jamie Foxx, and Jamie Dornan. If you’re a fan of Alan Rickman and Morgan Freeman, then Kevin Reynolds Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) which made $390.5 million at the box office, is another great option.

If you consider yourself more of a romantic, then Robin and Marian may be the adaption for you. Played by Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn, this spin-off tells the story of Robin Hood and his quest to win back Maid Marian. For a more child-friendly watch, you may choose the animated adaption retold by Walt Disney Studios.

Bella Ramsey

Recently attending the Met Gala, Bella Ramsey was the breakout star from The Last of Us, a series based on an action-adventure survival horror game.

Born in Nottingham and trained by the Television Workshop at the age of 19 they have already made a name for themselves, having previously played Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones and acted alongside Andrew Scott in Catherine Called Birdy. They are a sparkling example of talent and success, nurtured not in the Capital City but in Nottingham and I urge everyone to watch and support their career.

Wollaton Hall

Arguably my favourite Batman movie – although of course, I may be biased- Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises filmed Bruce Wayne’s funeral with a backdrop of Wollaton Hall - which means you probably have stood in the same spot as Michael Caine and Gary Oldman.

Wollaton Hall has also been used as Pembroke Estate in The Princess Switch: Switched Again, a Netflix Rom-com with the lead role played by Vanessa Hudgens.